Various personality theories are prevalent in today’s society. Throughout the centuries, a number of minds have attempted to explain personality, and each has submitted a theory or theories, backed with significant research, to validate his or her point of view. This paper will address the Psychodynamic Theories, enumerating key figures, the key concepts that determine personality formation, and how these theories explain disordered personality. In addition, the Psychodynamic Theories will be evaluated for validity, comprehensiveness, applicability, and cultural utility.
Introduction goes here.
The father of psychoanalysis, Freud based his theories on the unconscious mind, infantile sexuality and the Oedipal complex, and repression. In addition, he proposed a three-part psychological structure in the Id, considered the pleasure principle, Ego, also known as the reality principle, and Superego, which is the internalized moral principle. According to Thornton (2010), “Freud’s innovative treatment of human actions, dreams, and indeed of cultural artifacts as invariably possessing implicit symbolic significance has proven to be extraordinarily fruitful, and has had massive implications for a wide variety of fields including psychology, anthropology, semiotics, and artistic creativity and appreciation” (para 2).
In 1911, Alfred Adler formed the school of Individual Psychology as a reaction to the hostile response he received from members of the Vienna Psychoanalytic Society. According to Cervone & Pervin (2010), Adler deviated from Freud in that he had “greater emphasis on social urges and conscious thoughts than on instinctual sexual urges and unconscious processes” (p 134). Furthermore, Adler explored the idea that individuals compensate for bodily inferiorities; according to him, these coping mechanisms become a part of the individual’s personality characteristics. Also, Adler’s...